DARTS: Impressive weekend for Josh

SWINDON’S Josh McCarthy enjoyed an impressive weekend as he stormed through to the quarter-finals of the BDO Welsh Open.

McCarthy was eventually toppled at the last 16 stage by eventual runner-up Gary Robson, but played well throughout the event as he burst through a field which originally consisted of more than 1,000 players.

In his first game McCarthy beat Neil Tonks of Wales 3-0 to get his campaign off and running, continuing his charge in the next round with a 3-1 win over Bryan Moran.

Stewart Jones was next to go as McCarthy progressed as a 3-2 winner to reach the last 128, where he beat Kelvin Painter 3-2 to reach the board final.

The group seven crown was McCarthy’s with a 4-3 win over home player Paul Reilly, but bigger tests were soon to come for the Swindon teenager.

Having reached the finals, which also featured former world champions Andy Fordham, Martin Adams, McCarthy raised his game to see off experienced BDO campaigner Scott Mitchell 4-2.

Is run came to an end as he lost to Robson but it was still an impressive weekend for the youngster.

The tournament was eventually won by Adams, who beat Robson 6-2 in the final.